Author Archives
John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War" and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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Oliver East’s “Take Me Back To Manchester” Exhibition Opens
In 1872, Maharajah, an Asian Elephant, walked from Edinburgh to his new home in Belle Vue Zoo with his keeper Lorenzo Lawrence. Oliver East, a Manchester-based artist, walked the same route in April 2016, as inspiration for a full-length comic,… Read More ›
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Revealed: A New Official “Watership Down” Poster
Vice Press will release two stunning-looking a poster celebrating Richard Adams’ classic novel Watership Down produced under license from Nepenthe Productions – the work of celebrated illustrator Raid71 (aka Chris Thornley). This beautiful art print which will be released at 5.00pm… Read More ›
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Batman versus Superman Box Office Plunge Prompts Questions
What are the key differences between two of DC Comics top heroes, Superman and Batman that make them so different – and could a 1990s story written by Dave Gibbons and drawn by Steve Rude be a better example of illustrating them,… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Comic Artist Gerry Dolan
When artist Gerry Dolan died last November I started writing this tribute, but for various reasons it got pushed back in its publication until now, and I can only apologise to those of you who already knew of his passing… Read More ›
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Europe Comics Invades London! (with help from Pat Mills, Posy Simmonds, Paul Gravett and others)
This month, Europe Comics will be travelling to London with various events scheduled all across the capital featuring a host of comic creators, including Pat Mills, Chris Riddell, Sarah McIntyre, Mike Medaglia and Posy Simmonds. Working in association with Comica London, they’ll be participating in… Read More ›
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If Only It Were True: Hashtag Comics’ Dream Investors
Whoever tells you there’s no money in comics clearly doesn’t appreciate the potential value of a good Intellectual Property – a value that comic publishers large and small are more than happy to remind us of, especially when there’s some… Read More ›
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2016 Lakes International Comic Art Festival Art by Ken Niimura Revealed
Not an April Fool’s hoax! Not a dream! The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has just revealed this year’s Festival art by top artist Ken Niimura – who is also one of the lead guests at the event (14th-16th October). Winner of the Golden Prize in the… Read More ›
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Ireland’s lost humour comic, Splank!
In 1964, British comic great Leo Baxendale was lured away from The Beano and Dandy publishers DC Thomson by their great rivals Odhams with the promise of greater freedom and editorial control on projects for them – one of which… Read More ›
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Pipedream Comics launches debut issue of The Pull List
Digital comics news site Pipedream Comics have launched the first issue of The Pull List, a new quarterly magazine dedicated to the world of small press, indie and digital comics – and it’s fantastic, well worth the measly 99p cover price…. Read More ›
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Egmont launches Paw Patrol magazine
Egmont Publishing has just launched PAW Patrol magazine, aimed at boys and girls aged 3-5 years, based on the daily children’s TV show shown on Nick Jr featuring hero pups, their gadgets and vehicles. Every issue has adventures to read,… Read More ›
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Norway’s first Volda Mini Comic Con to display rare British and US comics
With successful TV shows like Supergirl and The Flash, and blockbuster movies like The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy and Batman v Superman, comic book characters are more popular than ever across the globe, including Norway. The country has a… Read More ›
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Awesome Comics Podcast Episode 39: Ask The Awesome Comics Podcast!
With lots of comic news, movies and general debate happening recently this week Vince Hunt, Dan Butcher and Tony Esmond decided to take time to answer some listener questions and spend some quality time together alone on the Awesome Comics… Read More ›
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Wonderlands Wanders Back to Sunderland in May
Wonderlands – a creative expo that saw the eyes of the graphic novel world fall on Sunderland last year is returning for a second year in May, after gaining international recognition in 2015. Wonderlands – the UK Graphic Novel Expo, named as a nod… Read More ›
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Line-Up for first Shrewsbury Comic Art Festival Expands, includes John Wagner, Barry Kitson
More details of the first ever Shrewsbury Comic Art Festival have been announced, which will include appearances by Doug Braithwaite, Howard Chaykin, Andy Diggle, Barry Kitson, Goran Parlov and John Wagner. As always thousands of music fans will be flocking to the Shrewsbury Fields… Read More ›
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Bionic Rabbits and Macc-Pow! There’s no stopping Marc Jackson
Busy comic creator Marc Jackson has just launched his brand new, self-published totally goofy action/adventure comic, Bionic Battle Rabbit – and yes, it is as wacky as it sounds! “It’s the story of Chester Hare a computer game designer,” says Marc, “Who,… Read More ›
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Light Up Your Room with Captain America!
We’ve covered these Marvel superhero 3D Light FX before on downthetubes, but retailer Red5 has just released details of these Captain America and Thor lights, available in store and through their online site. Ideal for kids who want the light left on… Read More ›
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New Comics On Sale This Week (w/c 28th March): Head for Planet of the Damned!
Here’s my pick of this week’s list of British creator and British publisher-skewed new comics, including new comics on sale in UK newsagents. This feature covers all titles released from Monday 28th March onwards with most new US comics released on… Read More ›
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Striker’s Future Still Up in the Air, Despite Fan Support
The clock is ticking again for Striker, with the football strip soon to reach the end of its current adventure – and still stuck as a digital-only strip on The Sun‘s web site, despite pleas from hundreds of fans to… Read More ›
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First Dynamite James Bond Collection Out in June
The first collection of Dynamite Entertainment‘s James Bond stories is out in June, collecting Vargr, a story written by Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, The Authority) and drawn by Jason Masters (Batman Incorporated, Guardians of the Galaxy). In Varger, after a mission… Read More ›
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British Creators at work on DC Universe: Rebirth
DC Entertainment has revealed its plans for the DC Universe: Rebirth relaunch at a special event held at WonderCon in the Los Angeles Convention Center this weekend -plans that include work by several British creators, including Dan Abnett, Bryan Hitch, Simon… Read More ›